my 87 iroc just to a crap, it is something in the tranny. dropped the pan and there is a bunch of metal shavings in there and what looks like little needle bearings. when i started the car the torque converter sounded like it was grinding, it would go in gear for about 30 seconds and move the car and then it wouldn't move. any idea what has broke?

 

sounds like the thrust bearing in the torque converter has failed-
happened to mine a couple years ago(aftermarket"stall"converter)
first noticed tranny slipping in 1st and reverse.Tranny was slipping
because aluminum filings from the stator rubbing the turbine in the
converter had plugged oil passages in the tranny-had to drop the tranny,
take it apart and muck out all the debris,reassemble and reinstall with
a good converter Also had to flush out the cooler and plumbing as
they were packed with debris too.Tranny pump had some minor
damage but still works fine after cleaning